"60 Minutes" stands by Rodgers' story, claims of his sensitivity

Nov. 16, 2012

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The Aaron Rodgers’ ”60 Minutes” saga continues to take on a life of its own.

On Thursday, it took another turn when the CBS news magazine responded to the Green Bay Packers quarterback’s recent comments about his portrayal in the nearly 12-minute segment that originally aired on Nov. 4.

Two days after the story was aired, Rodgers expressed his disappointment in the piece and how it was edited during his weekly radio show on 540 ESPN and ESPNWisconsin.com, particularly the producers’ decision to withhold any footage or acknowledgement of a MACC Fund charity event Rodgers was hosting for children with cancer, one of several events CBS cameras followed him to over a four-month span.

The story also chronicled his rise from lightly recruited high-school quarterback to NFL MVP while hitting on the controversial New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal and documenting Rodgers’ sensitivity about his height, personal life and other matters.

The issue resurfaced during his conference call with Detroit media on Wednesday prior to Sunday’s game against the Lions when Rodgers was asked about his comments during the program suggesting that other teams beyond the Saints could possibly have been using a bounty program.

Rodgers cautioned those on the conference call they shouldn’t put too much stock in his statement and take the "60 Minutes" report with a grain of salt.

"It was cut for their purposes, their agenda, and most of the answers were either just portions of a bigger answer or probably not even for the question that was asked. So, I’m not even going to touch that one,” Rodgers told reporters.

Following Rodgers’ most recent comments, “60 Minutes” offered their rebuttal on Thursday, even suggesting his response further proves the piece’s point about his sensitivity.

“Aaron Rodgers was never taken out of context and most anybody portrayed as he was on 60 Minutes would have been flattered by the story,” said CBS News chairman and “60 Minutes” executive producer Jeff Fager in a statement. “It was fair and accurate and it was obvious we got it right when we reported that he tends to be overly sensitive. “

While it remains to be seen if this is the final chapter in the Rodgers/”60 Minutes” debate, the news magazine also included an unedited transcript of reporter Scott Pelley’s exchange with the Rodgers. You can view it below:

SCOTT PELLEY: There has been-- a bit of a scandal in these recent months, that the league has reacted to, about players being paid bounties to knock guys like you out of the game. And I wonder if you've ever felt like you've been targeted in a game, somebody tryin' to take you out?

AARON RODGERS: Every game I feel like they're tryin' to take me out. Now, I don't know about money. I don't-- I've never felt like there's been-- (MIC NOISE) been money on my head. But-- that's what happens. The defense is tryin' to-- is tryin' to either knock you out of the game or knock you out of your rhythm.

Some teams are a tad bit dirtier than others-- in the ways they go about doin' that. But-- you know, it's everything from trash talkin' to-- a borderline late hit, to-- a dirty play. But-- you know, some of that stuff is part of the game, and then some of that stuff (as we've seen)-- most people agree is not part of the game.

PELLEY: You seeing more of it now or less?

RODGERS: I think-- about the same. I don't think that's-- that really changes a whole lot. I-- again, I can't speak on any of the bounty stuff. Like, I don't know-- what teams were also using systems like that. But--

PELLEY: You think--

RODGERS: --I can tell you--

PELLEY: --it's more than one?

RODGERS: Could have been. Could have been. I think it's gotta be-- in your mind. It's not outside the realm of thinking that there could have been other teams that had similar systems. But-- no, I think-- every defense is tryin' to-- is tryin' to get after the quarterback.

PELLEY: You said some teams are dirtier than others. Who's dirty?

RODGERS: I don't wanna give them any more fuel. They-- they-- those teams know who they are. They definitely know who they are.